524 Transactions. — Botany . 



but not invariably, covered with minute white dots beneath, 

 and the thickened articulations of the stem are unusually pro- 

 minent in all the forms of this species, some of which are not 

 easily distinguished from V. Icevis. 



Var. odora, Hook, f., sp., Fl. Antarct., 62, t. 41. 



Erect, 1ft. -8ft. high, usually much branched, branches 

 strict or flexuous. Leaves as in the typical form, but patent. 

 Flowers as in the type, but often larger. The capsule some- 

 times shows a tendency to become obovate. 



South Island : Mountain districts from Nelson to South- 

 land, attaining its greatest luxuriance on the banks of streams 

 in alpine forests. Stewai't Island ; Auckland and Campbell 

 Islands. Sea-level to 3.000ft. 



The spikes are often so numerous as to present a paniculate 

 appearance, and the bracts scarcely differ from the leaves. 



V. gibbsi, n. s. 



A sparingly-branched shrub, 6in.-12in. high ; branches as 

 thick as a goose-quill. Leaves decussate, sessile, fin. -fin. long, 

 ^in.-iin. broad, ovate acute or obtuse, coriaceous, imbricat- 

 ing, patent or deflexed, margins strongly ciliated. Eacemes 

 2-4, naked below, shortly exceeding the leaves, broad, obtuse. 

 Ehachis and pedicels very short or 0, pubescent, bracts fully 

 equalling the corolla - tube, ciliated. Calyx campanulate, 

 deeply cleft, lobes lanceolate, acute, ciliate, much shorter 

 than the bracts ; corolla-tube tubular, narrow, limb spread- 

 ing, lobes narrow acute. Stamens shortly exserted, anthers 

 oblong. Capsule ovate, acute, narrowed at both ends, com- 

 pressed. 



South Island : Nelson — Mount Rintoul and Ben Nevis ; 

 3, 000ft. -4,000ft. ; F. G. Gibhs ! 



This species is nearly related to F. IcRvis and V. cariio- 

 sula, but is distinguished from both by its acute sepals. The 

 ciliate leaves are always glabrous on both surfaces, and often 

 glaucous or purple. I take this opportunity of acknowledging 

 my indebtedness to Mr. Gibbs for his valued assistance in 

 botanical matters. 



V. Icuvis, Benth., in DC. Prodr., x., 461. 



Calyx -lobes ovate, obtuse or often subacute. Capsule 

 broadly oblong, nai'rowed at both ends, compressed. 



North Island : Ruahine Range, Tongariro, Ngauruhoe, 

 Ruapehu, Tartirua Range. South Island : Subalpine and 

 alpine districts from Nelson to Southland. 2, 000ft. -4, 500ft. 



V. hillii, n. s. 



A small glabrous erect or spreading shrub, 6in.-12in. high ; 

 branchlets naked below. Leaves rather crowded, lin.-ljiu. 



